Mountainside junior Kacie Schmidt had 12 strikeouts in a win over Tigard.

In starting Mountainside’s softball program last year, Jacy Jukkala knew her team must learn to walk before it could run.

Still, as the Mavericks ripped through a JV schedule with a 24-0 record, there was a sense that maybe they were being held back.

“There were points where I wished we were playing a varsity schedule already, just because I think we were a little higher level than JV,” Jukkala said. “But it was a good way to introduce the girls, get to know each other, and hopefully plan for bigger things in the future.”

So Mountainside entered this season eager to test itself against a full varsity schedule. And the early results have been encouraging.

The Mavericks beat Newberg 7-3 on Wednesday to improve to 4-0, outscoring their opponents 28-7. They have even received votes in the OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll, although they have yet to crack the top 10.

Jukkala -- who went 228-88 in 11 seasons at Glencoe (2005-15), where she coached a 5A champion in 2010 and had four state runner-up teams – is keeping a lid on the excitement for now.

“There are some improvements to be made,” Jukkala said. “It’s good, you don’t want to peak now. I think we definitely have some work to do, but I think we’ll get there. I think we’ll vie for a playoff spot.”

After leaving Glencoe, Jukkala assisted for two seasons at 6A Southridge, where five of the current Mavericks played on the varsity as freshmen in 2017.

That group -- right fielder Madison Goodale, shortstop Madison Cochell, first baseman Cassidy Kachnik, pitcher/second baseman Kacie Schmidt and center fielder Desi Busch – forms a strong junior nucleus for Mountainside. All five started on the JV last season, as did sophomore Olivia Bowder.

“These kids are absolutely special and they have the potential to do great things,” Jukkala said. “We just don’t have the varsity experience to see where they’ll land.”

Busch and Bowder set the table at the top of the order. Busch’s quickness and skills have been putting pressure on defenses.

“She has kind of that killer instinct,” Jukkala said. “The type of kid that will run through a brick wall for you.”

Schmidt, who had 12 strikeouts in a 9-1 win over Tigard, is developing into an ace. She has benefited from the tutelage of Mavericks assistant coach Katie Sutherland-Finch, the former Glencoe and Cal star who pitches professionally in Australia.

“It’s cool to see their relationship expand,” Jukkala said.

Mountainside will get a good idea of where it stands soon. The Mavericks meet top-ranked and reigning 6A champion Tualatin in nonleague games March 26 and April 3.